Turning F&B into an Event

Generally speaking, everything revolves around fine dining and drinking when people get together to celebrate. Hence, it's no great intellectual leap to the idea of getting together to enjoy exclusive culinary delights in the company of like-minded people. The spectrum covered by such festivals ranges from elite gourmet dinners to mass picnics. In many cases, a multifarious programme attracts gourmets to scenic regions with their own culinary traditions, on which the festivals then focus. And, no less frequently, celebrity chefs, whose creations are normally reserved for their affluent guests, are only too pleased to demonstrate their skills - an ideal opportunity for lovers of the culinary arts to watch them at work, to learn and to enjoy. A pan-European survey.

[55904 Zeichen]

Chefs' Ratings - Schleswig-Holstein Gourmet Festival 2008/2009

NL/Belgium: other Festivals

€ 5,75

'Out of Town' in Town

Long gone are the times when it was only possible to feel coastal sand under your feet on holiday. Today, more and more European city dwellers can enjoy that relaxing beach feeling just around the corner. Quick-witted restaurateurs are reclaiming disused areas in densely populated areas and turning them into exotic paradises with a Caribbean atmosphere. The entrepreneurial risk: if the summer is wet, the investment is likely to be washed away. However, restaurateurs who also invest in weather protection without watering down the authentic beach feeling will not, generally speaking, have built on sand. A pan-European survey.

Organic Gains Momentum

The world organic market is estimated to have exceeded the $30-bn mark last year with North America and Europe showing the highest growth rates. In the last 10 years, worldwide demand for organic foods has doubled, and is expected to more than double again in the next few years. By far the biggest market share is held by the retail sector. In the foodservice industry the use of organic produce is still quite rarely to be found - rather with institutional catering than with fullservice or quickservice restaurants. But growing concerns for health issues, the environment and the treatment of animals help to change consumers' and restaurateurs' minds which means that 'organic' (or 'bio') is gaining momentum. A pan-European survey.

Only a few US Chains

In Europe, pure steakhouse chains emerged in UK in the 50s, in France in the late 60s and in Scandinavia and Germany in the 70s. However, it was not until the late 80s that they reached Portugal, Spain and Italy, where chain operations still are in their early stage. Located centrally or as freestanders, often with farmhouse design or (modern) Argentine style, they all offer tableservice and are focused on grilled meat (up to 50% of sales). Average checks are about EUR 15-30 and sales go up to EUR 2-3 m/unit. After 2000, BSE and foot-and-mouth disease created great consumer uncertainty and many steakhouses expanded their menus to include fish, chicken and vegetarian alternatives. The demand for meat has been rising again since it has been possible to give consumers assurances about its origins. This has encouraged some chains to expand internationally - and not just within Europe. Interesting in this connection is the fact that US concepts hardly ever succeeded in Europe.

[42174 Zeichen]

UK: Top Steakhouses

UK: Pub Chains with Steaks

UK Steak Sales - beef frying/grilling steak -

€ 5,75

Rating:

Future-compatible

How to create foodservice concepts today that will still capture the spirit of the times tomorrow and satisfy future consumer needs and tastes? This is a key question at innumerable symposiums, congresses and market-research projects. One approach is to collect basic facts, study the parameters and evaluate trends. The other, to add intuition and inspiration. The best source of innovative impartiality: travelling, keeping your eyes open and learning. Hence our 'virtual' sightseeing tour of Europe to discover future-oriented ideas for concepts of supra-regional interest. Although the selection is subjective, the perspective is always professional. Country-by-country, we present 25 concepts - some individual, some already multiplied. The spectrum ranges from restaurants for kids to wine bars; from fast-food to a new interpretation of fine dining.

Meat-free and Healthy

Everywhere you look, sales of vegetarian meals are rocketing and not just since the BSE and foot-and-mouth crisis either. Vegetarianism has become nothing short of a mega trend amongst young female customers, who are deciding in droves to live on a meat-free diet. We analyse the concepts behind vegetarian restaurants and their evolution as well as the current status of vegetarian meals in 'normal' restaurants.

Microcosm Airport

Only 10 years ago the foodservice available at airports was pretty miserable but now airport sites get extremely high ratings from retail and restaurant professionals alike. People frequencies compare favourably with those of high-street locations. Among the highest revenue-earners are quickservice concepts, which are increasingly being grouped together in food courts. A pan-European overview.

[40821 Zeichen]

London F&B

SSP Europe

Brands at UK airports

€ 5,75